Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Chapter 3 Sparring (1)
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Time flew by quickly.
And a month later.
A group of students lined up in the grand training grounds of the Divine Martial Academy.
These were the students participating in the sparring demonstration.
Clang! Clang!
The sight of over a hundred students drawing their swords in perfect unison while standing at attention was truly spectacular.
"This cohort has sharp eyes too."
Chung-hyun, the Bronze Hall Master, who had donned his uniform for the first time in a while, looked over the students and remarked.
"Haha. They're the kids we've all put effort into teaching, after all."
"What do you plan to do?"
"I thought we'd try the Four Directions Sword Formation."
Four Directions Sword Formation.
It was a combined formation used when multiple people faced a single expert.
Typically, four people formed a small sword formation, while twenty people—five such groups—formed the large sword formation. It was one of the most basic formations of the Murim Alliance.
"Good. Proceed right away."
At Chung-hyun's approval, Yeom Gwang shouted.
"Squad leaders, step forward!"
Rumble.
The gathered students dispersed into their groups, and the squad leaders stepped out.
Yeom Gwang looked over their faces and smiled.
'This cohort will be easy too.'
Though it was just a demonstration, this formation was essential for promotion.
Yeom Gwang always gave opportunities to shine to those who had shown him loyalty whenever the chance arose.
Of course, it was only natural that the one who showed the most loyalty received the most attention.
"Sa-gon."
"Yes! Squad Leader Instructor!"
"You have the best understanding of formations, so you'll command the large sword formation."
"Yes! Thank you!"
Shing!
Sa-gon took position at the front and drew his sword, and the lined-up students drew theirs in unison.
It was then.
"Instructor Yeo. Can anyone attend the training?"
"Not exactly. Not everyone participates, but anyone who wants to can join. To promote, you have to master the basic formation anyway."
"Really? That's different from what I heard..."
The voice cut through the tense silence just before the formation demonstration began—like the drop of a needle could be heard.
It scratched at Yeom Gwang's nerves.
"Instructor Chu. What's the problem?"
"Oh. I wasn't trying to disrupt the training."
"Aren't you disrupting it right now?"
"Come on. I was just curious and asked. I know someone who was told they couldn't participate at all, so I wondered if there was some other reason."
Uluk.
Yeom Gwang's eyebrow twitched.
The other instructors nearby tensed at his darkening expression.
Until now, formation training had always featured a student Yeom Gwang favored taking the spotlight.
Since it was a required formation, being appointed squad or grand squad leader greatly boosted one's evaluation.
For that reason, Yeom Gwang usually selected students who had paid him under the table as leaders.
"What's that guy's deal, stirring up trouble?"
"He really has no tact."
"Quiet down. Look at Squad Leader Instructor Yeom's eyes."
As the instructors whispered among themselves, Bronze Hall Master Chung-hyun frowned.
"Squad Leader Instructor Yeom. What's going on?"
"There must be some misunderstanding. The newbie instructor must have gotten something wrong."
As he answered, Yeom Gwang's eyes swept over Chu Un-hwi.
'That thunderbolt-headed bastard...'
Why did he have to make a big deal out of something everyone else ignored?
'I won't let him get away with this.'
Yeom Gwang ground his teeth at the man who always subtly provoked him.
The formation demonstration ended, and evaluations of each group's performance were given.
Next, they demonstrated the Divine Martial Swordsmanship or their individually learned martial arts, continuing the assessments.
"Sa-gon. Your mastery of the Divine Martial Swordsmanship is impressive."
"You're lacking. You haven't captured the essence of true Divine Martial Swordsmanship."
"Good. You've definitely improved."
Yeom Gwang moved among the students demonstrating their forms one by one, offering nonstop evaluations.
He didn't forget to praise those who had shown him loyalty.
It unfolded just as always.
The unexpected twist came after the individual demonstrations, as they prepared to begin the sparring.
A lone student crossed the training grounds, clasped his fists in salute, and spoke.
"I want to participate in the sparring."
It was the Ghost of Bronze Hall.
"Nangong Yun-ho?"
Yeom Gwang was startled by the surprise appearance.
'Why the hell is Nangong Yun-ho showing up?'
He had repeatedly shown poor performance and been scolded, to the point where he was rarely seen even in Bronze Hall lately.
Yeom Gwang was caught off guard that the guy, who had been avoiding people's eyes, would appear at a group training.
Unease spread among the other instructors as well.
"He's still in Bronze Hall?"
"Nangong Yun-ho? Who's that?"
"Ah, you just joined recently, so you wouldn't know."
"Bronze Hall's Ghost. That's what they call him..."
In that moment, as heads turned, Yeom Gwang's gaze landed on the source of the trouble—the one grinning slyly off to the side.
'That bastard's the culprit.'
It left a bitter taste in his mouth.
In truth, Nangong Yun-ho was a somewhat uncomfortable existence for Yeom Gwang as well.
When he first entered the hall, Yeom Gwang had once seen him as a golden opportunity.
'Though there wasn't much to squeeze out of him.'
Fortunately, his self-loathing kept him secluded, so he hadn't become a problem. Still, it was true that the more attention Nangong Yun-ho got, the less at ease Yeom Gwang felt.
"Instructor. He's here."
"Yeah. Looks like there was a misunderstanding. Apparently anyone can join."
"Is that so? It's different from what I heard, but if it was a mix-up, nothing to be done."
"Yeah, do your best."
Yeom Gwang's insides boiled at their carefree exchange.
'So it was your doing after all.'
What kind of scheme was this guy up to!
Yeom Gwang burned with anger.
Then he overheard the source's conversation.
"Good. Too bad you missed the formation demo, but it'll be fine, right?"
"I'm in my fifth year already. I passed the Four Directions Sword Formation ages ago."
"A veteran newbie, huh."
"But do I really have to participate in the sparring?"
"Man, have some confidence. I taught you myself."
Only then did Yeom Gwang understand the situation.
'Damn it. Couldn't recruit any students, so he roped in Nangong Yun-ho after all.'
Dragging out Bronze Hall's ghost, who had existed but not truly been there.
He had truly been caught off guard.
But it wasn't a problem.
'It's unexpected, but no issue.'
Yeom Gwang knew Nangong Yun-ho's skills well. He was the heir of the Nangong Family, so he'd put some effort into him.
And what he'd learned was one thing.
'He's a dropout.'
He had terrible talent.
Quiet, no backbone.
A loser in life.
'I can use this chance to smack down that source-of-trouble bastard.'
With the intent to crush his momentum first, Yeom Gwang approached Chu Un-hwi.
"Are you serious?"
"About what?"
"Hate to say it myself, but Student Nangong doesn't seem qualified for this."
"Didn't you say all Bronze Hall students are qualified?"
"A warrior's qualification is skill. Right?"
As their eyes met, Nangong Yun-ho closed his.
Seeing that, Yeom Gwang smirked inwardly.
'Still can't even open his mouth.'
Yeom Gwang cheered at how he flinched under others' gazes.
'If I play this right, I can chase him off with just a scolding.'
Dealing with weak personalities was simple, after all.
Hiding his intentions, Yeom Gwang continued.
"If you want, I can make time later to guide you personally. I get you're impatient, but martial arts aren't to be learned lightly. Rushing can turn it into poison."
"You mean..."
"Don't push yourself today. Unless you want more embarrassment."
"......"
Humiliated, Nangong Yun-ho had no response.
It was then.
"Would someone like you leave a person to rot alone?"
"Instructor Chu!"
Yeom Gwang exploded at the interruption.
"Do you know how busy I am?"
"Teaching important talent is already more than enough!"
"People naturally prioritize efficiency!"
"Aha."
Chu Un-hwi grinned.
"So this guy's just inefficient?"
"When did I say that!"
Yeom Gwang bellowed, but Chu Un-hwi just laughed haha.
"What do you think? That he's inefficient trash?"
Nangong Yun-ho opened his closed eyes and answered firmly.
"I want to participate in the sparring."
A major incident had occurred.
Not only had Bronze Hall's forgotten ghost appeared, but Squad Leader Instructor Yeom Gwang and the newbie instructor had clashed spectacularly.
The shouting and retorts were bad enough, but the newbie instructor's words stirred up quite a ripple.
"That newbie instructor's a total lunatic, huh?"
"Bronze Hall's ghost has talent?"
"What talent does a perennial ghost have?"
"Haha. This is hilarious."
The students laughed and chattered, enjoying the spectacle.
They were already bored with the routine that had just begun. Events like this were fun to watch.
On the other hand, the instructors looked grim.
"Ah, fuck. That lunatic for real."
"I knew the newbie was crazy, but didn't think he'd cause a scene in front of everyone."
"Why the hell did he drag out Bronze Hall's ghost?"
Amid the grumbling, Instructor Yeo Mae-hong cautiously offered her opinion.
"Um. What if there's an upset?"
"An upset? What upset?"
Instructor Yang Jo, who taught bare-hand combat with his Iron Fist, chuckled.
"Even the Nangong Family gave up on him. There's no way..."
"Still, you never know."
"Hey, Instructor Yeo. You really don't know? Nangong Yun-ho's a dropout from the Nangong Family. Know what that means?"
Dropout.
Someone behind the times.
"He's such a disgrace they were going to expel him from the family. Sure, say he gets lucky and does decently. Think that'll end well?"
"If he does well, isn't that good?"
"No way. If someone they wanted forgotten gets attention, you think the family will be thrilled?"
"Right. With Little Sword Dragon just entering, now the unheard-of eldest son shows up? That'd be the end."
Indeed.
Dropout.
It wasn't just about talent. It was someone whose very existence was denied by family and the world alike.
That was the word for Nangong Yun-ho.
Even so.
"Nangong Yun-ho."
"Yes, Instructor."
"Go wild to your heart's content."
With everyone watching, only Chu Un-hwi stood tall.
"Sa-gon."
"Yes, Squad Leader Instructor."
"Don't be scared just because it's the Nangong Family. That guy's a dropout they discarded."
Sa-gon knew the stories about Bronze Hall's ghost.
Despite the ghost label, he'd spotted him a few times coming and going from the dorms for rest.
Still, it was hard to calm his mind easily.
"Your mastery of the Divine Martial Swordsmanship is top-tier among the current students. You know that, right?"
"Yes, I do."
How could he not?
He'd shown all sorts of loyalty to achieve quick mastery.
He was confident his Divine Martial Swordsmanship was among the best.
The problem was.
"Is it okay to mess with someone from the Nangong Family?"
This point.
Was it fine for him, from some minor frontier martial clan, to injure the Nangong heir?
But Yeom Gwang just laughed.
"What? That's what you're worried about?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"Then let me tell you something good."
Lowering his voice, Yeom Gwang sneered behind his hand.
"Why do you think that guy's Bronze Hall's ghost?"
"Because his skills are lacking..."
"No. Even with lacking skills, no one would usually mistreat the Nangong heir."
"Then what you're saying is..."
"I got a request. To make him forgotten. You think it'd be okay if a ghost like that shows talent now?"
Understanding the inside story, Sa-gon smirked.
"You get it. I'll handle the aftermath. Oh, and for the sparring, stick to the Divine Martial Swordsmanship you're confident in. It'll be more dramatic that way."